Stone Neo 101 Netbook looks dependably unremarkable

by Stevie Smith - Apr 20 2009, 16:30

Given the dominance of the eponymous ASUS Eee PC line and similarly popular offerings from the likes of Acer, MSI and Dell, is there really any space left in the hardware world for yet another Netbook entrant? Of course there is… meet the tantalising named Neo 101.

Sadly however, while Netbook rivals such as Sony are looking to stand out in the growing ultra-portable crowd with the sleek and slender VAIO P, the Neo 101 from IT service provider Stone Group would appear to pale beyond its initially promising name.

More pointedly, the Web-centric computer’s rather plain, run-of-the-mill aesthetic is fairly indicative of what’s running beneath the hood – thanks, in the main, to a 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU, 1GB of RAM, Windows XP, 160GBs of data storage in a conventional hard disk drive, a 10.1-inch LCD screen (1024x600), and connectivity via Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and optional 3G.

Other contributing factors rounding out the Neo 101’s modest specification list include a 1.3 mega pixel camera, a 90 percent full-size keyboard, twin USB ports, memory expansion through an onboard ExpressCard slot, a three-year warranty, and a physical weight of around 1.3kg.

While the Neo 101 isn’t particularly sparkly when placed beside other slabs of Netbook hardware, it is at least comparatively priced (approx. 315 GBP) when gauged against the likes of the MSI Wind.

The Neo 101 is expected to arrive in May -- do try to contain yourselves.

Want regular updates from The Tech Herald? Follow us on Twitter.

Join interactive discussion with The Tech Herald on Facebook.

The Tech Herald: Sony's VAIO P is the sexy cat amongst the Netbook pigeons

The Tech Herald: MSI blows new Netbook duo down its Wind pipe

The Tech Herald: ASUS confirms new 'seashell' Eee PC

Around the Web